About Us - Weekend Getaways

Our Story

Weekend Getaways began in 2012 when three friends—Samantha, Marcus, and Elena—found themselves frustrated by the challenges of planning short outdoor adventures around their busy work schedules. They were passionate outdoor enthusiasts who believed that meaningful nature experiences shouldn't require extensive time off or complicated logistics.

What started as a simple blog sharing their weekend camping trips and hiking excursions quickly evolved as readers began asking for more detailed guides, equipment recommendations, and personalized advice. By 2015, Weekend Getaways had transformed from a passion project into a full-fledged resource hub with a dedicated community of adventure seekers.

In 2017, we launched our first in-person workshops and guided experiences, helping urban dwellers reconnect with nature through accessible weekend trips. Today, our team has grown to include outdoor specialists, sustainability experts, and local guides across the country, but our mission remains the same: to make nature accessible through well-planned short adventures.

Three founders sitting around campfire planning adventures

Our Mission & Values

Our Mission

To empower people to find balance and renewal through accessible outdoor adventures, proving that meaningful nature connections don't require extensive time away from daily responsibilities.

Accessibility

We believe nature should be accessible to everyone, regardless of experience level, time constraints, or budget. Our resources and recommendations focus on breaking down barriers to outdoor experiences.

Sustainability

We promote responsible outdoor recreation that preserves natural spaces for future generations. Our approach emphasizes leave-no-trace principles and environmental stewardship.

Community

We foster a supportive community where outdoor enthusiasts can share knowledge, experiences, and inspiration. We believe the best adventures are enriched by connection with others.

Authenticity

We provide honest, firsthand information about destinations and experiences. Every recommendation we make has been personally vetted by our team to ensure it delivers genuine value.

Meet Our Team

Our diverse team of outdoor enthusiasts brings together expertise in adventure planning, environmental science, gear optimization, and local knowledge to create the perfect weekend getaway experiences.

Olivia Jensen

Founder & Lead Adventure Specialist

With over 15 years of experience in outdoor leadership, Olivia oversees our adventure recommendations and destination selection. Her background in environmental education and passion for accessible outdoor experiences drives our mission. When not exploring new weekend destinations, Olivia enjoys landscape photography and trail running.

Marcus Chen

Gear Specialist & Trip Planner

Marcus combines his engineering background with his passion for the outdoors to help our community select the perfect gear for their adventures. He specializes in ultralight equipment solutions for weekend warriors and leads our gear testing program. Marcus has completed the Pacific Crest Trail and brings his extensive backcountry knowledge to every recommendation.

Elena Diaz

Workshop Director & Sustainability Lead

Elena oversees our educational workshops and sustainability initiatives, ensuring our weekend adventures leave minimal environmental impact. Her background in outdoor education and sustainable tourism brings valuable expertise to our programming. Elena has developed our popular "Eco-Conscious Camper" curriculum and leads efforts to partner with conservation organizations.

Jamal Thompson

Content Director & Community Manager

Jamal leads our content creation and community engagement efforts, transforming raw adventure experiences into compelling guides and stories. With a background in outdoor journalism and digital media, he ensures our resources are both inspiring and practical. Jamal manages our ambassador program and leads community events that bring weekend adventurers together.

Our Achievements

Team receiving outdoor industry award on stage

Impact & Reach

250,000+ weekend adventurers served through our platform
500+ curated destinations across North America
12,000+ workshop participants since 2017
85% of users report increased time spent outdoors

Recognition & Awards

2022 Outdoor Industry Innovation Award
2021 Green Tourism Excellence Certificate
2020 Digital Content Creator of the Year
Featured in National Geographic's "Changing Outdoor Culture" series

Environmental Impact

20,000+ pounds of trash removed through clean-up events
$75,000 donated to conservation partners
5,000+ trees planted through our carbon offset program
Development of 3 new sustainable camping areas

What Our Community Says

"Weekend Getaways transformed how I think about outdoor adventures. As a busy professional, I never thought I could experience meaningful nature connections without taking significant time off. Their weekend camping workshop taught me skills that have led to monthly adventures that keep me balanced and inspired. Their guides are thorough, and the community is incredibly supportive."

Sarah Miller

Software Engineer & Weekend Warrior

David and Priya Rodriguez hiking with child

"As parents of a young child, my wife and I struggled to maintain our connection with the outdoors. Weekend Getaways' family-focused resources and parent-friendly destination guides have been invaluable. Their recommendations for kid-friendly hikes and camping spots are always spot-on, and their gear recommendations have saved us from costly mistakes. Thanks to them, we're raising an outdoor enthusiast!"

David & Priya Rodriguez

Parents & Family Adventure Seekers

"In retirement, I wanted to explore the outdoors but wasn't sure where to begin after decades behind a desk. Weekend Getaways' beginner-friendly approach gave me the confidence to start with simple overnight trips and gradually build my skills. Their 'Silver Adventurers' workshop was perfectly tailored to older beginners like me. Two years later, I've visited 15 state parks and finally completed that bucket-list backpacking trip!"